looking for some input for layout

[Barduck]

designing a layout to take to events, in modules, but I could use some input. For ex: changes, where to put what, etc... It will be used by myself mostly but offcourse other LUG members can let their trains run on it as long as they are PF (as I don't want to invest in tech that's outdated, to high priced,...)

Here's the last one I did but there's some others on my Flickr aswell:

layout v4 by Barduck12, on Flickr

Every module has either a 2x3 or 3x3 baseplate footprint (48x48 studs) and I won't put the buildings or trees or other stuff that sticks out to far permanently on them, those will go on pre-defined area's with tiles so they are easily removed so that storage and transport is a bit less of a pain

[ecmo47]

My initial impression is way too much track and not enough room for buildings. They take up a lot of space! I did a 9x12 feet show layout and the part that attached the most attention was the modular street scene.

Edited April 5, 2015 by ecmo47

[Barduck]

Maybe I should have added that I don't intend to set a city or something like it, I'd rather go for a layout that's mostly scenic views if you understand what I mean. I don't want the buildings or the layout itself let take the attention away from the trains

[ecmo47]

DSC01071 by ecmo47, on Flickr

Im certainly not going to tell you how you should design your layout but this is what I displayed. One side was all trains and the other was the street scene with lots of small details to hunt for. The street side got way more attention and that was at a train show (vice a Lego show).

Your current layout is designed for a lot of switching and most of the general viewing audience will find that boring. They want fast and flashy! An 8 car HE was the big hit at my show and the fully operational Shay log train (very slow) did not generate much interested except for a few die-hard train fans.

Edited April 6, 2015 by ecmo47

[Barduck]

Don't forget I'm using steamers mostly and diesels, one of which will most likely be even to big to run on this layout. At the present I've never been able to let them run because of the club layouts being to uneven or to tight in curves and almost everytime there's plenty of people asking if they could see them run which I have to decline because of the stated reasons. That's my main reason for wanting to build a layout to use my trains on without the fuss of having problems in turns etc because of scenery being in the way or the tables not being even

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Great layout Barduck ....the platform looks amazing inside the layout!

[Ex cinno]

Nice layout but i don't see the way to reverse from the outer loop to the inner loop. May be you need a couple more of switching tracks.

[zephyr1934]

Generally looks good. I would suggest laying out the track and the equipment before building the actual board. Play with it (literally) for a day or two and see if you are happy with the flow. I would also suggest a second crossover going the opposite direction.

[Barduck]

layout v4b by Barduck12, on Flickr

Better? I've added 2 trains to demonstrate the direction they will be running. Trains on the inner track will pick up coaches on the splits at the turntable and at the other corner while trains on the outer track will pick up their coaches at the longer staging yard

Edited April 6, 2015 by Barduck

[technic70s]

The biggest bit of advice I can give is, make sure the tables you use, build, will fit through a door frame. The first tables i made were in 32x32 stud base plates, 4 plates by 5, that size will not fit though a door, I am slowly changing to 3 plates by 9,that works out at 765mm by 2295mm

[Barduck]

that shouldn't be a problem, legs will be removable and the modules themselves will be stored sideways in transportboxen (like Cale has done, though his are transported horizontal). Something I've considered rght from the start as getting the plates themselfs at home to start building is a problem to start with and can only be done with the help of my friendly neighbor by lending me his van (which he'll loan when I'm going to events aswell to transport the boxes containing the modules

[technic70s]

What you have planned is very large and will take a long time to set up if you are going to assemble it on site.